USMCVMO Posted December 3, 2019 Share Posted December 3, 2019 Since I recently moved to another state I decided to try the VA Primary Care facility near me. I am 50% service connected for back. The PCP wanted to order some blood work for my first visit. I had no health conditions except the back pain. I assumed this was the basic stuff any doctor would ask for to check cholesterol, etc. When I went to the VA lab they drew about 6 tubes of blood. I joked with the nurse and called her a Vampire. She said your doctor ordered a lot of tests. When I get the results I was iterated to find out they drug tested me. I am not a drug user and didn’t pop positive for anything, but I felt a bit misled. I logged into my private insurance portal. They billed my private insurance $8600.00 for the blood tests. The discounted amount is $4,000 which the insurance company paid. Luckily my deductible was met for the year. I noticed my doctor already has lab work scheduled for me again early next year. With my private doctor I never had more than one per year unless there was a specific problem we were tracking. Is this how the VA is making money and driving up insurance costs at same time? I feel like I should be reporting these outrages prices to somebody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vetquest Posted December 3, 2019 Share Posted December 3, 2019 Wow. I have never heard of such a thing. I would complain to the White House hot line about that. It sounds very excessive. 1-855-948-2311. asdf 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Content Curator/HadIt.com Elder Vync Posted December 3, 2019 Content Curator/HadIt.com Elder Share Posted December 3, 2019 @USMCVMO If you are SC at 50% and the VA bills your insurance for treatment, you don't have to pay anything. Technically, they are not supposed to bill for treatment of SC conditions, but they frequently do it anyway. Regardless, it can actually help you because it should goes towards your out of pocket and deductible. "If it's stupid but works, then it isn't stupid."- From Murphy's Laws of Combat Disclaimer: I am not a legal expert, so use at own risk and/or consult a qualified professional representative. Please refer to existing VA laws, regulations, and policies for the most up to date information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadIt.com Elder Buck52 Posted December 3, 2019 HadIt.com Elder Share Posted December 3, 2019 I know the VA can bill our private insurance, we are supposed to let them know if we GET THE INSURANCE OR have any other insurance including medicare.(SO THEY CAN BILL THEM A PART OF THE COST) I remember back when I first started using the VA I HAD TO PAY A SMALL CO-PAY it was not that much so I didn't gripe, I was 0% S,C,..AND when I got my 50% NO CO PAYS..IF Only I had known at the time I should have saved up all my prescription receipts from the private drug stores like Walgreens CVS ect,,ect,,,VA will Reimburse you for those. I am not an Attorney or VSO, any advice I provide is not to be construed as legal advice, therefore not to be held out for liable BUCK!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCVMO Posted December 3, 2019 Author Share Posted December 3, 2019 In my case I don't have a problem with them billing my insurance since this was a check-up bloodwork and not related to my SC. My grievance is the amount they billed for the blood-draw and lab work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Content Curator/HadIt.com Elder Vync Posted December 3, 2019 Content Curator/HadIt.com Elder Share Posted December 3, 2019 9 minutes ago, USMCVMO said: In my case I don't have a problem with them billing my insurance since this was a check-up bloodwork and not related to my SC. My grievance is the amount they billed for the blood-draw and lab work. It can seem excessive. It comes down to the kind of labs which were ordered because some of them can be expensive. "If it's stupid but works, then it isn't stupid."- From Murphy's Laws of Combat Disclaimer: I am not a legal expert, so use at own risk and/or consult a qualified professional representative. Please refer to existing VA laws, regulations, and policies for the most up to date information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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